Title: Nutritionist Assistant

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate II

Hiring Range: $32,292 $45,863

Pay Band: 2

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: VIRGINIA BEACH HQ

Agency Website: jobs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Beach WIC program has one full-time position available to serve as a Nutrition Assistant at the Pembroke WIC office. The successful candidate should be a highly motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and one who is able to provide administrative and technical support to the WIC program. Provides first line service to walk-in clients requesting WIC services. Performs administrative tasks such as answering a large volume of phone calls, filing, data entry, making appointments using the WIC Crossroads computer system, greeting clients, assessing shot records and conducting financial interviews to determine income eligibility, explains basic procedures, refers clients/patients to appropriate official. Completion of training and nutrition checklist required within 60 days.

Restricted Position: This is a restricted position which is solely funded by the WIC USDA Grant renewable annually in September. Employment is contingent on the continued availability of grant funds.

Health-Care Personnel (HCP) : VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.

Benefits:  The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

This position is responsible for Program Support and Community Outreach.

Program Support

• Accurately interviews clients to obtain proof of identification and proof of residency, and to calculate income eligibility, according to state guidelines
• Issues and explains eWIC cards to clients
•  Assures appropriate data is taken/recorded; collects data as needed following protocols
  
• Assist with questions regarding applications, refers complaints to supervisor
•  Reviews participant's rights/responsibilities; contacts participants regarding appointments; schedules appointments
  
• Seeks/promotes program participation; documents all nutritional education provided
  
• Provides timely customer service in regards to answering phone calls/ returning phone messages and walk-in clients
• Promotes breastfeeding and makes appropriate referrals to appropriate resources

Community Outreach

• Participates in community outreach to promote/encourage program involvement for eligible clients
• Completes required training and developmental opportunities as assigned
  
  

Special Assignments

• May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. May be required by VDH to adjust work hours, location, and job duties and participate in training to meet public health business needs, including emergencies. If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to: interview clients & collect client information; interpret, document, calculate & compile routine data; routinely obtain blood sample/finger stick from infants, children and women; provide patient education
• Some knowledge of basic nutrition and nutritional standards
• Must be able to communicate and interact with a variety of patients and work effectively as a member  of a health care team

Additional Considerations

• Additional training or course work in dietetics, food services or a related field
  
• Experience in food production or in a nutrition program
• Previous experience in WIC or Public Health;
  
• Interviewing and counseling skills and/or teaching group classes.
  
• Ability to work with people from all areas of socioeconomic and literacy levels.
• Work experience in a clinic/lab setting.
  

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Cydnee Stuckey

Phone: 757-278-6692

Email: cydnee.stuckey@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.